Cigarette lighting and dispensing device



Feb. 15, 1938. F, C; COPELAND 2,108,376

' CIGARETTE LGHTING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed March 10, 1956' 4 sheets-Sheet 1 79 W ff/ 335;? Vf

TTOQ/VEK Feb; 15, 1938. F, C, COPELAND 2,108,376

CIGARETTE LIGHTING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed MaI-211,10, 1935 4 SheeiS-Sheet 2 v Z /0 il" r.. F f

/g 'f l /NI/E/V TO@ @AA/6456 (Wim/W U ATTOe/vfx Feb. 15, 1938. Fh C; COPELAND- A 2,108,376v

CIGARETTE LIGHTING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed March l0, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 TTfQ/VEL/ Feb. 15, 1938. F. c. COPELAND 2,108,376

CIGARETTE LIGHTING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed March l0, 1936 Arme/vm( 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 k Patented Feb. 15, 1938 UNITED' STATES PATE-NT OFFICE .N

CIGARETTE LIGHTING AND DISPENSING;

DEVICE Francis C. Copeland, Beverlyl Hills, Calif.v Application March 10, 1936, Serial No. 68,056

13 Claims.

This invention relates to dispensing devices, and particularly pertains to a device within which a cigarette may be lit and from which itv l0 device" issued to me on April 28, 1931, and bearing Patent No. 1,802,629, and 1,774,131 issued to me August 26, 1930 and 1,793,063 issued to me February 13, 1931. Primarily it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a de- 15 vice within which a plurality of e'igarettesmay be contained and which device will segregate one cigarette from the quantity of cigarettes contained therein, and will thereafter ignite an end oi' the selected cigarette and then eject the ig- 20 nited cigarette from the device while presenting it conveniently for removal by the person who is to smoke the same. The present invention has as an incidental object a structure housed within the device and inaccessible from the exterior gr, thereof, whereby. the cigarette may be selected and fed to ignition means to which the cigarette is automatically presented, and there held in a manner to insure proper ignition before it is ejected from the machine.

:m Another object of the invention is to provide means acting automatically to retain a selected cigarette in proper relation to the ignition means for a period necessary for ignition and after which the cigarette may be automatically and :s without control of the operator of the machine ejected from the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self-contained dispensing and ignition device of the character here shown which is coin con- :m trolled and which may be easily operated without danger of rendering the moving elements of the machine inoperative.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a housing within which a carton of cig- 15 arettes may be placed in bulk and from which quantity individual cigarettes may be withdrawn and presented to ignition means contained within the housing of the machine and thereafter ejected from the machine while ignited. 50 The invention is illustrated by the way oi example in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view in perspective -showing the complete machine .with which the present invention is concerned.

Fig. 2 is a view in transverse horizontal section through the machine as seen on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the various elements of the structure with parts broken away for sake oi' clearness.

Fig. 3 is a.view in transverse vertical section 6 through the machine as seen on4 the line 3-3 ot Fig. l and indicates the operative parts of the machine in the relationship they assume prior to actuation of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical transverse section l0 and elevation similar to that shown in Fig. 3`disclosing the relationship of the moving parts of the ejector mechanism after a cigarette has been selected, withdrawn from the supply bin, and delivered to the ignition means. 16

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation showing the machine with parts of the case broken away to disclose the electrical apparatus connected with the ignition unit and a source of electrical supply, as viewed inthe direction oi the arrows l in Fig. 2. 20

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation showing the machine as viewed from the opposite side of Fig. 5 and showing the parts of the machine broken away to disclose the coin controlled mechanism, and as viewed in the direction of the arrows l in 25 Fig. 2.

` Fig. 7 is a view of the machine in front elevation with parts'broken away to show the operative mechanism of the device and the dispensing element. so

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in section and elevation as seen on the line I--l of Fig. 7 and disJ closes the relationship oi.' the ignition element with the dispensing member.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the wiring diagram of 36 the machine including the illuminating element, the ignition element, and the automatic ejecting coil.

Fig. 10 is a view in vertical section through the machine as seen on the line i0|0 oi' Fig. 4 and 40 shows therelationship ot the cigarette to the ignition means at the time the cigarette is being supported thereagainst for ignition.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, i0 indicates a base of a dispensing case il. This 46 case has a sheet metal floor I2, a rear wall Il, side walls i4 and l5, a top I6, and a removable iront wall l'i. Other than the removable front wall I1 the case is permanently assembled and is fastened to thebase I0 by bolts il. The front wall 50 i1 may be removed. This is accomplished by providing a hook-shaped taxg I! at the upper edge oi the front wall I1 and which will extend into the slot of a lock tang 20 carried by the upper wall I6. When thus positioned the front 66 wall i1 may'swing downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3 where it can be locked by a lock bolt 2i formed as a part oi' the lock mechanism 22. The details of construction of the lock mechanism are of course not a part of the present invention. As lshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings the front wall i1 is fitted with a glass cover window 23 through which it is possible to look into the machine and to observe whether or not a carton of cigarettes is within the machine, and also whether or not the machine is illuminated, this being for a purpose to be hereinafter described. 'I'hrough the wall and at a point below the window 23 is a horizontally extending discharge slot 24 through which cigarettes 25 may be .ejected on to an ejecting platform 26. Ihe outer ends of this platform project through the opening 24 and are formed with upturned portions 21 which act as stops for the cigarettes 25 and hold them in a position to be conveniently grasped by the person removing them. A vertical slot 23 is formed through the front wall i1 to accommodate an operating lever 29. In certain instances, as will behereinafter described, this lever may be eliminated, and under such conditions the slot will not be necessary. A vertical coin slot 30 is disposed through the front wall i1 adjacent to its upper edge and makes it possible to introduce a coin into the coin mechanism which will be hereinafter described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and l of the drawings, it will be seen that the case as previously described forms a substantial and separate housing for a complete removable mechanism 3i This removable mechanism includes a hopper within which cigarettes may be placed, cigarette selecting means, ignition means, and ejecting means. The entire structure fits within the case and may be slid inwardly and outwardly through the opened front thereof. The hopper, as generally indicated at 32 in the drawings, may receive cigarettes from bulk or may contain a cigarette carton. A carton of this type has now been approved by the United States Treasury Department, and has upon its forward end 33 the Government tax stamps which are observable through the window 23. In placing the carton in the hopper 32 its bottom wall is removed and there is inserted into the top of the carton a weight plate 34 whichrests upon the supply of cigarettes within the carton and tends to hold them downwardly and to give sufficient weight to feed them from the selecting means as will be hereinafter described. The floor of the hopper 32 comprises a front floor section 35 and a rear oor section 36. These sections are pivoted between vertical wall sections 31 and 38 of the removable frame of the unit 3i. These wall sections extend downwardly and are fastened to a frame structure 39 which ts snugly between the walls I4 and i5 of the case il. The front floor section carries pivot brackets 4D which extend into perforations 4| in the plates 31 and 38. The rear floor sections 36 are provided with brackets 42 which extend into pivoted openings 43 in the vertical walls 31 and 38. These floor sections are each of a length substantially half of the length of the hopper 32. The front floor section is formed at its rear edge with a downturned flange 44 at the center of which is a tang 45. This tang is curved as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings and extends into a slot 46 which is formed upon an actuator 41. This element is mounted on an actuating shaft 48 which extends horizontally through bearings in the vertical plates 31 and 33 of the frame.

The actuator 41 has a leaf 4I which normally extends horizontally as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings and prevents the downward feed of the individual cigarettes 2l. The actuator 41 has a rearwardly extending portion 53 which is arcuate in section and rests beneath the forward free end 0f the rear door section 36. The rearwardly extending portion 50 of the actuator is substantially arcuate in shape and moves beneath the free end of the rear oor section 36 to raise and lower the same from the lowermost 'position shown in Fig. 3 to the upper position shown in Fig. 4. The rear leaf 53 also carries a cam shaped member 5I which as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings engages the under face of the floor member 36, and in Fig. 4 of the drawings, acts as a choke to prevent the down feed of cigarettes into the space between the contiguous edges of the floor sections 35 and 33.

As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings the floor sections 35 and 35 are normally downwardly inclined toward the actuator and provide a throat in cooperation with the rear actuator leaf 50 into which one cigarette may gravitate, and by which it will be held by the leaf 43 which in the inoperative or nonactuated position of the device stands substantially horizontal. Disposed beneath the leaves 43 and 50 of the actuator and attached to the actuator 41 intermediate its ends is an operating finger. 52 which extends downwardly as shown in Fig. 3 and may swing rearwardly as shown in Fig. 4 to engage a cam member 53 of a cigarette lifting plate 54. This plate is pivoted at 55 in the vertical side walls 31 and 38 of the removable frame structure. The cigarette lifting plate 54 is mounted beneath a fixed floor structure which comprises a horizontal section 55 fastened to the side plates 31 and 36, and an inclined section 26' which extends forwardly and downwardly and also extends outwardly through the slotted opening 24 in the face plate i1 of the casing. The finger 52 extends downwardly through a slotted opening 56 in the rear portion of the horizontal section 55' and swings upwardly to engage the arcuate portion 53 of the cigarette lifting and ejecting member 54, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The forward swinging ends of the plate 54 are formed with a pair of upturned fingers 51 which are spaced from each other to pass through T-slctted openings 58 in the member 26. These members also have vertically extending portions 5B, the upper edges of which are at right angles to the members 51 and combined with the members 51 to form seats for the cigarettes 25, as particularly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. These members lift the cigarette 25 into a position relative to an electric ignition member 59, as particularly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. The member comprising elements 53 and 54 is mounted upon the pivot 55 and is adapted to swing from an inclined position as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings to a position as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In the latter a tank 60 carried on the back of the member 53 will engage a catch 6i on the upper end of a thermo-coupled bar 62 around which an electric heating coil 63 is disposed. This coil will heat the bar 62 and will cause the catch member 6i to swing away from its obstructing position as shown in Fig. 4 to release the cigarette leaf and the feeding platform 54 and to allow the cigarette to drop on to the inclined platform 26 and to roll forwardly and downwardly to the outer end 21. Attention is directed to the fact, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, that when the members 51 and 53 have been elevated through the opening 53 the upper edges of the member 58 will hold the cigarette in an elevated and spaced relation to the inclined floor 28. This is for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. 'I'he heating coil 83 is mounted upon a false oor 85 of the frame structure and above a coin box 86 which is secured thereto. The coin box extends entirely across the interior of the case Il, as shown in Fig. 'I of the drawings.

By reference to Flg. o1' the drawings it will be seen that the vertical side walls 31 and 38 of the removable frame form a path along which a cigarette may roll as it rests upon the inclined floor 26'. In the transverse plane occupied by the cigarette as it is being ignited the ignition unit 59 is disposed. This is mounted on a suitable base 61 of dielectric'material. The heating element 68 is here shown as being U-shaped and it extends upwardly and outwardly. It thus assumes an inclined position with relation to the end of the cigarette so that the cigarette will burn freely without the possibility that combustlon will be smothered, as would be the case if the cigarette were forced with its end directly and completely against the heating element. The ignition element is here shown as mounted on the side frame member 38 directly opposite from the protrusion 88 extending along the face of the other side member 31 against which the opposite end of the` cigarette strikes and along which it moves as it comes to the ignition station. 'I'his insures that the cigarette will shift endwise and will be temporarily held in condition for igniting.

It will be recognized that the device may be manually operated.` by holding the member 29 in' its depressed position while observing the progress made in ignition of the cigarette to be dispensed, however it may be found desirable to include actuating mechanism within the machine which automatically control-the entire dispensing operation merely by dropping a coin into the machine. As here shown, however, a manually operated lever 29 mustv be actuated subsequent to dropping a coin through the coin slot 30 and into a coin chute 10. The coin chute 10 is carried by the vertical wall section 31, and as particularly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings will deliver a coin into' a coin pocket 1| of a rotary, disc 12 which is formed with a lock shoulder 13. This lock shoulder will engage a lock detent 14 which is pivoted at 15 upon the vertical wall 31. A cover member 15 is assembled with a disc, both of which elements are mounted upon a shaft 48. The operating lever 29 is pivoted at 11 upon the vertical wall 31. Its rear end is formed with a slotted opening 18 which engages a pin 19 carried by the cover member 15 by which pin the cover 15 and the disc 13 may be rotated when the ,presence of a coin within the pocket 1| acts to lift the detent 14 and to permit rotation. The rotation of the coin disc rotates the shaft 48 by which the actuator 41 is operated. Mounted on this shaft is also a cam 80 which during its rotation will bring together electric contacts 8l and 82 as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. These contacts control van electric circuit from lead wires 83 and 84 to an electric light bulb 85, in socket 85', along conductors 88 and 81 and also to the heating element of the' ignition unit 59, and the heating coil 83 along wires 88. 89. 90 and 9|, respectively. Conductors 84 and 89' are connected at opposite sides of the switch contacts 8| and 82 and lead to an auxiliary switch having contacts 8|' and 82'.

These contacts are here shown as carried upon the members 85 and 54 so that when the member 54 is in its operating position as shown in Fig. 4 the contacts 8l' and 82' will be closed. Thus when the shaft 48 rotates it not only ac-v tuates the cigarette selector, and other means associated therewith to ignite and eject the cigarette, but also"establishes the circuit through the three electrical units previously referred to including switch contacts 8| and 82 and the contacts 8|' and 82'. The coil 63 will maintain all of the circuits established through switch contacts 8|' and 82 until the thermo-coupled bar releases the tang 60 and permits the member 53 to swing to its original position. Release of pressure on the member 29 allows the shaft 48 to be rotated by action of spring 92. A spring 93 is also provided for lever 29 so that this lever and the coin disc connected therewith will be restored to their original position when the members 60 and 6I disengage. This also acts to rotate shaft 48. A spring |00 is attached to the member 14 to hold it in contact with the coin member 12.

In operation of the present invention the entire frame structure is withdrawn from the case Il and a carton of cigarettes is placed within the hopper 32. The frame structure is then moved into the case and the cover plate |1 locked in position. The cigarettes within the hopper will then assume a position as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, where the front and rear floor sections and 36 will incline downwardly and inwardly and cooperate with the elements of the actuator 41 to form a throat which may be occupied by one cigarette only at a time'. If a cigarette is desired a coin is dropped through the coin slot 38 into the coin chute 10 to assume a position upon the coin disc after which the lever 29 may be operated. The presence of the coin in the disc will permit the lever to rotate the shaft 48, and -at that time the actuatorwill rotate in a direction of the arrow a as seen in Figs. '3 and 4 of the drawings. This rotation will at once allow the front floor section 35 to drop upon a stop 95, thus increasing the inclination of the front section of the floor toward the outlet throat. At the same time the portion of the actuator will swing upwardly a-nd its member 5I will swing forwardly. As the member 5| swings forwardly it will force all of the cigarettes away from the discharge throat while the member 50 closes the throat so that a cigarette could not pass therethrough. The rear curved end of. the portion 50 of the actuator will lift the rear floor section 38. It will thus be seen that as this action takes place the cigarettes will be disturbed in the hopper so that one cigarette will move downwardly toward the outlet throat preparatory to a further operation of the machine. As the actuator rotates in the direction of the arrow a it will be seen that the cigarette which previously rested upon the element 49 will be dropped on to the upper edge of the inclined floor 28'. At the same time the ngcr 52 of the actuator will wipe along the curved portion 53 of the plate 54 forcing this plate to swing down'- wardly as indicated by the arrow b in 4, and bring the tangs into locked relation with the member 6|. As the portion 53 swings downwardly the plate member 54 will swing upwardly, this being so timed as to insure that the fingers 51 thereon will be interposed inthe path of thc cigarette 25 which is rolling downwardly along the face of the member 26'. As the plate 54 continues to rise the cigarette will be engaged and lifted free of the inclined floor 20' and into contact at its upper end with the heating element of the ignition unit 59. At the same time the light bulb will be illuminated so that the purchaser of the cigarette may be advised that the machine is in operation, even though it is not possible to instantly ignite and eject the cigarette. In other words, he will wait while the light is on, knowing that the machine is functioning properly.

The electric contacts li and l2 as well as Il' and 82' will be closed by depression of member 29 and the contacts 8|' and B2' will be maintained in their closed positions and the plate 5l will be elevated as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings until the thermo-coupled bar 62 releases the tang 50. This insures that the cigarette will be held in physical contact with the ignition unit until proper combustion of the cigarette has taken place and the cigarette is lit. Attention is directed to the fact that a flue member |02 is disposed above the ignition unit to cause a draftv of air to be drawn upwardly and sustain combustion as the cigarette is being lit. This flue communicates with an opening ID3. When the elements 53 and 54 are released the cigarette will be allowed to drop onto the inclined floor 25. This dropping action does two things. First, it tends to break the end of the cigarette away from the ignition unit to which it may have adhered. Secondly, it gives an initial impetus to the cigarette to cause it to roll down the inclined iioor 26 and become lodged on the upturned fingers 21 after it has passed through the opening 24 in the cover plate l1. The coins pass downwardly through a chute IM and an opening |05 into the member 66.

It will thus be seen that by the structure here disclosed it is possible to dispense cigarettes from a bulk supply in a manner to insure that but one cigarette will be selected and dispensed at a time, and that the cigarette will be ignited within the machine at a point inaccessible to the person to whom the cigarette is to be dispensed, after which the properly ignited cigarette will be fed from the machine, and the machine will be restored to its original position ready for further actuation,

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, as'now known to me,`it will be understood that various changes might be made in the combination, construction, and arrangement of parts, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cigarette dispensing and lighting device comprising a case, said case being formed with an opening through one of its side walls, an inclined delivery platform leading through the opening and upon which a cigarette is supported in condition for use, said platform extending into the case, a compartment within the case and into which cigarettes are placed in bulk, means for segregating and withdrawing cigarettes' one at a time from said compartment, and placing said withdrawn cigarettes on the delivery platform, an ignition station at a point along the platform and at the side thereof, means for arresting movement of the selected cigarette along the platform and for temporarily lifting the cigarette into engagement with the ignition means at the ignition station, ymeans subsequently actuating the arresting means whereby the cigarette will be released to move from the ignition station along the platform through the opening in the case to be presented to the user.

2. A cigarette dispensing and lighting device comprising an outer case having an opening through a side wall thereof, an inclined delivery platform extending downwardly from a point within the case through said opening and terminating in a ledge against which a cigarette may be delivered, a compartment within the case and above said platform and within which oigarettes in bulk may be disposed, means for segregating a cigarette within said compartment and electing it therefrom on to said platform, an ignition unit disposed at the side of said delivery platform at a point in the length thereof, 'arresting means for interrupting the travel of selected cigarette along the delivery platform and for temporarily lifting it from the platform and into contact with the ignition unit whereby the cigarette may be ignited, said arresting means acting to release the cigarette after ignition and to permit it to move freely along the delivery platform through the opening and to the ledge thereof, means acting to operate the cigarette selecting and electing means and to move the arresting means to its arresting position, a means independent thereof to hold the arresting means in its arresting position for a predetermined period of time and to thereafter release the arresting means to permit release of the cigarette on to the delivery platform.

3. In a cigarette dispensing device, a case, a compartment within the case and into which cigarettes in bulk are disposed, a floor for said compartment comprising a pair of floor sections hinged at their opposite ends and adapted to swing in opposite directions at their free ends in a manner to segregate one cigarette from the cigarettes in the compartment, ejecting means acting to swing said floor sections to close the space through which the selected cigarette passed, and to release said selected cigarette, and

an inclined platform on to which said cigarette is delivered and along which it rolls, the outer end of said platform extending through an opening in the side Wall in the case terminating in a ledge against which the cigarette lodges, an ignition unit disposed within the case and along the path of travel of the cigarette while on the delivery platform said unit being spaced above the platform, means temporarily arresting the travel of the cigarette to hold it against the ignition unit and means cooperating therewith and positioned to engage the non-ignited end of the cigarette and to move the cigarette longitudinally into positive physical contact with the ignition unit.

4. In a cigarette dispensing and igniting device a cigarette compartment therein, means for removing a cigarette from said compartment, an inclined platform on to which the removed cigarette is delivered, and along which it rolls, electric ignition means disposed above the platform and at the side thereof, an electric circuit therefor, means at the opposite side of said platform positioned to abut against the non-ignited end of the cigarette for moving the cigarette longitudinally as it rolls therealong to force the cigarette toward the ignition means, means acting to arrest the movement of a cigarette and temporarily hold the cigarette in contact with said ignition means after which the cigarette moves along the platform to pass from the case, means for' making and automatic means for breaking the electric circuit of the ignition unit and means simultaneously bringing one end of said cigarette simultaneously actuating the arresting means and the means for making and breaking the ignition circuit. f

5. In a cigarette dispensing and igniting device a cigarette compartment therein, means for removing a cigarette from said compartment, an inclined platform on to which the removed cigarette is delivered and along which it rolls, electric ignition means disposed above the platform and at the side thereof. an electric circuit therefor, means at the opposite side of said platform positioned to abut against the non-ignited end of the cigarette .for moving the cigarette longitudinally as it rolls therealong to force the cigarette towards the ignition means, means acting to arrest the movement of a cigarette and temporarily hold thecigarette in contact with said ignition means after which the-cigarette moves along the platform to pass from the case, means for making and breaking the electric circuit of the ignition unit and means simultaneously actuating the arresting means and the means for making and breaking the ignition circuit, said means also actuating the cigarette removing means.

6. In a cigarette igniting and dispensing device, an inclined platform along which a cigarette will roll, an ignition unit disposed along the path of travel of a cigarette as it is being discharged from the device, means forarresting movement of said cigarette and lifting it into Contact with the ignition unit, said means thereafter releasing the-cigarette, and means acting automatically to determine the period during which the cigarette will be held in contact with the ignition means prior to the aforesaid release.

7. In a cigarette igniting and dispensing device, a cigarette compartment therein, means for removing a cigarette therefrom', an inclined platform along which a cigarette will roll, an ignition unit disposed along and above the path of travel of the cigarette as it is being discharged from the device, means for arresting movement of said cigarette and lifting it into contact with the ignition unit, -said means thereafter releasing the cigarette from the device after the aforesaid operation.

8. In a dispensing device for cigarettes, a case, a compartment within the case to receive cigarettes in bulk, an igniting unit within said case, an inclined floor positioned within said case and along which the cigarettes travel while being maintained in a substantiallyY horizontal position, means for segregating and withdrawing cigarettes one at a time from the compartment and placing it on the inclined floor, means automatically lifting each passing cigarette from said floor and thereby temporarily arresting its travel while simultaneously bringing one end of said cigarette in contact with the ignition unit, a protruding member positioned opposite said ignition unit and against which the non-ignited end of the cigarette abuts to longitudinally shift the cigarette into engagement with the ignition unit.

9. In a dispensing device for cigarettes, a case, a compartment within the case to receive cigarettes in bulk, an igniting unit within said case, an inclined floor positioned within said case and along which the cigarettes travel while being maintained in a substantially horizontal position, means for segregating and withdrawing cigarettes one at a time from the compartment and placing it on the inclined floor, means automatically lifting each passing cigarette from said floor and thereby temporarily arresting its travel while form.

in contact with the ignition unit, a protruding member positioned opposite said ignition unit and against which the non-ignited end of the cigarette abuts to longitudinally shift the cigarettel into engagement with the ignition unit, and means automatically operated to release said cigarette after ignition takes place to allow the cigarette to continue its travel along the inclined floor to a position outside of the case.

10. A cigarette dispensing and lighting device comprising an outer case having an opening through a side wall thereof, an inclined delivery platform extending downwardly from a point within the case through said opening and terminating in a ledge against which the cigarette may be delivered, a compartment within the case and above said platform and within which cigarettes in bulk may be disposed, means for segre-l gating a cigarette within said compartment and ejecting it therefrom to said platform, an ignition unit disposed at the 'side of said delivery platform at a point in the length thereof, means for arresting the travel of said cigarette along the delivery platform to temporarily arrest the cigarette in its travel along the platform, said means lifting the cigarette when its motion has been arrested to bring one end of the cigarette into engagement with the ignition means, a protrusion positioned at the side of the delivery platform opposite the ignition unit to engage and longitudinally shift the cigarette into closer con-v tact with the said ignition unit, and means auto' matically releasing said arresting and lifting means after said said cigarette has been ignited to allow the ignited cigarette to continue its travel along the delivery platform and out through said opening within the case and allowing the ignited cigarette to engage the ledge at the termination of the said delivery plat- 11. A cigarette dispensing and lighting device an opening through one of its side walls, an inclined delivery platform leading through the opening and upon which a cigarette will be supported in condition for use, said platform extending into the case, a compartment within the case and into which cigarettes are placed in bulk, means for segregating and withdrawing one cigarette at a time from said compartment and placing said withdrawn cigarette on the delivery platform, an ignition unit remote from the cigarette compartment at a point along the platform and at the side thereof. means for arresting movement of the selected cigarette along the platform and for temporarily lifting the cigarette into engagement with the igniting means at the ignition station, means actuating the arresting means whereby the cigarette will be released to move from the ignition station along the platform through the opening in the case to be presented to the user.

12. A cigarette dispensing and lighting device comprising an outer case having an opening through a side wall thereof, an inclined delivery platform extending downwardly from a point within the case through said opening and terminating in a ledge against which a cigarette may be delivered, a compartment within the case and above said platform and within which cigarettes in bulk may be disposed, means for segregating a cigarette within said compartment and ejecting it therefrom on to said platform, an ignition unit disposed at the side of said delivery platform at a point in the length thereof and comprising an electric ignition element, a flue structure leading from said element to create a natural draft thereacross and from the case and means for disposing the end of the cigarette in contact with the electric ignition element whereby the cigarette will be lighted as the natural draft of air is drawn upwardly and outwardly through the ue, arresting means for interrupting the travel of a selected cigarette along the delivery platform and for temporarily lifting it from the platform and into contact with the ignition unit whereby the cigarette will be ignited, said arresting means acting to release the cigarette after ignition and to permit it to move freely along the delivery platform through the opening and to the ledge thereof, means acting to operate the cigarette selectingand ejecting means and to move the arresting means to its arresting position and means independent thereof to hold the arresting means in its arrested position for a pre-determined period of time and to thereafter release the arresting means to permit release of the cigarette on to the delivery platform.

13. A cigarette dispensing and lighting device comprising a case having an opening through a side wall thereof, an inclined delivery platform extending downwardly from a point within the case thereto, said opening terminating in a ledge against which a cigarette may be delivered, a compartment within said case to receive cigarettes in bulk, means for segregating and withdrawing one cigarette at a time from said compartment and ejecting it on to said platform, means within the case for arresting the extracted cigarette, means within the case remote from the cigarette compartment for igniting the cigarette, a common operating means for actuating the extracting means and arresting means in sequence, said arresting means being positioned along the inclined platform to arrest the movement of the selected cigarette and move said cigarette into engagement with the igniting means and means associated with said ignition means to actuate the arresting means after the cigarette has become ignited to release the cigarette to allow it to pass from the case.

FRANCIS C. COPELAND. 25 

